Themes and Navigation

Entering Lord Jabu-Jabu's mouth

While inside, Link must initially avoid the vast variety of parasitic enemies, including an especially large tentacle-like organism with electrified appendages in the shape of unstable pillars and jellyfish-like creatures called Bari,[2] since they become much harder to kill without the Boomerang, the weapon found inside the dungeon. Shortly thereafter, Link locates Princess Ruto, inside what appears to be the stomach, who initially refuses to accept any help from Link,[3] and accidentally falls into a hole.[4] Once found again by the young hero, she commands him to help her recover the Sapphire. Link must carry Ruto throughout many rooms to help her find it.[5] These rooms include areas where Link must fight numerous tentacles with the help of the Boomerang, so that new areas can be explored. He then enters a large room with the Zora's Sapphire in the middle.[6]

After taking the Zora's Sapphire, Ruto is captured, and Link is ambushed by a Big Octo that must be defeated in order to continue.[7] After defeating it, Link continues until he eventually locates the creature causing Jabu-Jabu's discomfort: a parasite called Barinade, the dungeon's boss. Link eventually defeats Barinade, rescues Princess Ruto, and receives the Zora's Sapphire as a reward.[8][9]

Master Quest

The dungeon has many strange changes in the Master Quest version of the game. Instead of uvula-like switches on the ceilings of Jabu Jabu's intestinal tract, now cow head switches that are attached to walls operate the opening of doors. As far as enemies go, Lizalfos and Like Likes were added to several rooms, the Parasitic Tentacles were dispersed evenly and in larger quantities throughout Jabu Jabu's insides, and invisible Keese were supplied to one room that includes an extra Gold Skulltula. Only three Tailpasarans appear in an optional room with a Gold Skulltula, and Business Scrubs were deleted from the Master Quest version. In terms of items, the Dungeon Map, Compass, and Boomerang can be obtained much earlier; the room that contained the Boomerang in the original version now contains the Compass, and vice versa. Other changes include the placement of a grown cow in a room, the addition of a water pillar in the suckhole room, and the presence of Bombchus, used to complete various new puzzles throughout the dungeon. Princess Ruto is utilized much less as a gameplay mechanic, as she is only required to hit only one switch.

Minor Enemies and Traps

Trivia

Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly may have been inspired by the dungeon Catfish's Maw from Link's Awakening. Both lie in an enclosed body of water and involve entering the mouth of a giant fish (though the catfish is not actually real).

In the first room after fighting the Big Octo, there is a ramp to the right. If the player changes the camera angle so that it goes through the wall for a few seconds, a Hookshot target can be seen.[citation needed]

This is the only dungeon in the game where Link is accompanied by another character (Princess Ruto) when he is warping to the dungeon's exit after defeating a boss.

In Ocarina of Time 3D, the dungeon can be accessed as an adult using a glitch. Link must approach the ice slope that replaces Jabu-Jabu and walk along its left edge. If done correctly, Link will walk inside the dungeon.

Gallery

Dungeon Map of Jabu-Jabu's Belly.

References

↑"The evidence seems clear. Of course, you'll go find Ruto. You can pass through here to the altar of Lord Jabu-Jabu." — King Zora (Ocarina of Time)

↑"You! Who are you?! I am Ruto, Princess of the Zoras. What?! Are you saying my father asked you to come here to save me? I'd never ask anyone to do such a thing! "Letter in a Bottle?" I have no idea what you're talking about! My father is worried about me? I don't care! Anyway, I can't go home right now. And you... Get out of here! understand?!" — Princess Ruto (Ocarina of Time)

↑"You're that worried about me? Then I will give you the honor of carrying me! However...I won't leave until I find the thing I'm looking for. You'd better believe me!" — Princess Ruto (Ocarina of Time)

↑"Well, anyway, you saved me, so I guess I'll reward you. What do you wish? Just tell me... [...] My mother gave it to me and said I should give it only to the man who will be my husband. You might call it the Zora's Engagement Ring! All right! I'll give you my most precious possession: Zora's Sapphire!" — Princess Ruto (Ocarina of Time)

↑"Accompany Princess Ruto home and she offers you the Zora's Sapphire for saving her." (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Ocarina of Time walk-through included) (Prima Games), pg. 182)